Pakistan and New Zealand are set to clash in the second T20 international of the three-match series in Dubai on Friday. In the series opener, it was the home side who came on top, registering a two-run win in a nail-biting encounter on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi.
In this match, the home side are expected to make one change with Fakhar Zaman in line to return to the playing eleven in place of Sahibzada Farhan after recovering from injury. In the batting department, the team will be relying on in-form Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez to do bulk of the scoring, with added pressure on veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik to contribute after failing to score significantly in the last three matches. In the bowling department, there are no major changes expected and with the track on the slower side, the importance of spin duo Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim will be pivotal for the team's chances in the game.
On the other hand, the Black Caps will be optimistic that they will go one step further in the second T20I after coming so close to the finishing line in the series opener. In the batting department, the onus will be once again on captain Kane Williamson and veteran middle-order batsman Ross Taylor to score bulk of the runs, whereas in the bowling department, Tim Southee will be expected to lead the attack and provide early breakthroughs.
Dubai Cricket Stadium is being often termed as one of the most beautiful venues
Pakistan and New Zealand are set to clash in the second T20 international of the three-match series in Dubai on Friday. In the series opener, it was the home side who came on top, registering a two-run win in a nail-biting encounter on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi.
In this match, the home side are expected to make one change with Fakhar Zaman in line to return to the playing eleven in place of Sahibzada Farhan after recovering from injury. In the batting department, the team will be relying on in-form Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez to do bulk of the scoring, with added pressure on veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik to contribute after failing to score significantly in the last three matches. In the bowling department, there are no major changes expected and with the track on the slower side, the importance of spin duo Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim will be pivotal for the team's chances in the game.
On the other hand, the Black Caps will be optimistic that they will go one step further in the second T20I after coming so close to the finishing line in the series opener. In the batting department, the onus will be once again on captain Kane Williamson and veteran middle-order batsman Ross Taylor to score bulk of the runs, whereas in the bowling department, Tim Southee will be expected to lead the attack and provide early breakthroughs.
Dubai Cricket Stadium is being often termed as one of the most beautiful venues in international cricket. So far, there have been 43 T20Is played at the venue, the last of which was played between Pakistan and Australia. Highest score of 211-3 in T20Is at the venue was registered by Sri Lanka in the match against Pakistan on December 13, 2013, whereas the lowest score of 71 was registered by Kenya in the match against Ireland on March 14, 2012.
Key Players:
Mohammad Hafeez – 9.5 Cr
First in the list of key players features Pakistan veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez. The 38-year-old had an impressive outing in the first T20I where he scored 45 runs and also bowled three economical overs while defending a par total of 149. Valued at 9.5 Cr, Hafeez might prove to be an ideal purchase as he is in great form with the bat ever since returning to the national side and has the ability to claim important wickets as well.
Colin Munro – 10 Cr
Second in the list of key players features New Zealand opener Colin Munro. The left-handed batsman played an outstanding knock of 58 off just 42 balls in the first T20I to put his team in commanding position, but unfortunately finished on the losing side. Valued at 10 Cr, Munro is the kind of player you want to have in your team, especially considering his record in the shortest format of the game, where he has three hundreds and eight half-centuries to his name in 46 outings.
Shadab Khan – 9 Cr
Last in the features Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan. The 20-year-old had a more than decent time with the ball in the series opener where he claimed a prized wicket of New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and just gave away 26 runs in his four overs. Valued at 9 Cr, Khan might prove to be an ideal acquisition as he can prove to be even more effective in slow and low conditions in Dubai.
